Brunswick, circa 1917. The frame contains a portrait photograph of Duke Ernst August (III.) of Hanover in the uniform of a hussar of the Braunschweigisches Husaren-Regiment Nr. 17, with large original signature of the Duke dated "16. Mai 1917", lower right with the mark of the photo studio "Adele (Förster) Wien I Graben u. Ischl". The portrait in a silver frame of finest peacetime quality, on the underside with silver hallmark crescent moon and crown as well as silver content "800" and maker "F. Siebrecht" and number "67010". Mounted on top of the frame is the crowned cipher "EA", the crown executed in gold, the cipher decorated with rubies and diamonds. The back cover in wine-red morocco leather, with stand. Frame dimensions 20.2 x 29 cm. In original case, interior lined with violet velvet and silk, the lid with gold-stamped jeweler's mark "F. Siebrecht Hof-Juwelier Braunschweig". Case dimensions 25.5 x 34.5 cm. Condition 2.
This gift picture frame represents a highly exquisite work, probably manufactured before the outbreak of war in 1914. Given this quality and costliness, the recipient of this piece could only have been a very high-ranking personality.
Ernst August (III.) was the last reigning Duke of the Duchy of Brunswick from 1913 until his abdication in 1918 and the last reigning monarch of the House of Hanover. During World War I he was promoted to Major General and served in the General Command of the X. Armee-Korps to which the Braunschweigisches Husaren-Regiment Nr. 17 also belonged.
The photograph was made by the photo studio "Adèle" in Vienna, which was famous for its portrait photographs and also worked for the Imperial and Royal Court.
The jeweler "F. Siebrecht" in Brunswick is also well known and manufactured, among other things, decorations for the Duchy of Brunswick.
377374
